Oregon Woman Sentenced for Arson After Burning Down Ex Boyfriend’s Home When He Refused to Meet
EUGENE, Ore. — A Eugene woman set her boyfriend’s house on fire when he refused to meet with her in person after their relationship ended.
Forty-year-old Leticia Crystal Blue Ocean Datu-Strong, aka Rickie Potts, has been sentenced to 34 months in prison after pleading guilty to first-degree arson.
Her court appearance relates to an incident on a morning in June, when a fire gutted the home of her boyfriend in the 100 block of W. 3rd Avenue, Eugene. Datu-Strong was arrested the same evening.
Court documents reveal that Datu-Strong had a brief relationship with the victim that ended two months before the fire.
After the breakup of their relationship, Datu-Strong requested the return of a necklace. Instead of a face-to-face meeting, her boyfriend suggested that he return the necklace by post.
According to court documents, Datu-Strong dismissed his suggestion and later, in a message to a friend, stated her intention to burn down his home.
While he was at work, Datu-Strong visited his home and set it alight.
This was confirmed by surveillance footage, which captured her entering the property with a can of gas and leaving with his three dogs in tow.
At her court appearance, she received credit for the time she served and will serve three years of post-release supervision upon her release.
- 2 months before the June fire : Relationship ends, necklace return requested.
- June morning : Fire guts home on W. 3rd Avenue while he is at work.
- Same day : Arrested after surveillance video shows gas can and dogs taken.
- Court case : Pleads guilty to first degree arson.
- Sentence : 34 months prison, plus 3 years post prison supervision.